Pre-War by Jennifer O'Grady

Winner of Stage It! 10-Minute Play Contest and published in STAGE IT! 3

(10 Min) Traumatized by a recent loss, Elena finds it hard to leave her NYC apartment until she meets Clara, her older Czechoslovakian neighbor, and the women discover they have more in common than they realized.
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Pre-War

Recommended by

  • Jillian Blevins:
    15 Apr. 2024
    “ PRE-WAR exemplifies a fundamental truth about human connection: though the specifics of our individual experiences are endlessly varied, joy and heartache and grief are universal. This powerful scene between two women with seemingly nothing in common (aside from their apartment building) underscores the ways we’re all linked, and reminds us to get to know our neighbors. ”
  • Robert J. LeBlanc:
    13 Apr. 2024
    “ PRE-WAR handles trauma and loss with a beautiful equity between parties. This show, that I had the privilege of seeing performed as a part of More Real Life Stories in Newburyport, MA, handles the balance of comedy and grief perfectly. It is a touching, heartfelt story of two women's challenge with overcoming grief that possesses honestly laugh out loud moments. There is a truth to this show. ”
  • Scott Sickles:
    7 Sep. 2023
    “ I have a basic philosophy about healing and suffering. The examples change but it’s basically, “Your apocalypse doens’t make my paper cut hurt less.” People who’ve endured hardship in the past often push their resilience onto those enduring present pain. We can’t foist our paneceas on other people’s wounds.

    However…

    We can pass along our experiences and encourage the best.

    PRE-WAR presents two survivors. O’Grady sheds just enough light on thier lives to inspire them to share more with each other, showing how history and simple gestures can heal great wounds. ”
View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

  • Elena
    31
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Clara
    79,
    Czechoslovakian.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    PlayZoomers
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Plays for Us Series, The Actors Center
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    29th Street Playwrights Collective: SHE Plays
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    13th Street Repertory Theatre (NYC)
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Silver Theater Productions, Firehouse Center for the Arts (MA)
    ,
    2024
  • Professional
    ,
    PlayZoomers
    ,
    2023
  • Professional
    ,
    Stage It! Ten-Minute Play Festival, Center for the Arts Bonita Springs, FL
    ,
    2019

Awards

Honorable Mention
,
Playwrights' CageMatch
,
Town Hall Theatre
,
2019
Publication--Stage It 3: Twenty Ten-Minute Plays
,
Bonita Springs Center for the Arts
,
2019
Winner
,
Stage It! Ten-Minute Play Contest
,
Bonita Springs Center for the Arts
,
2019